So I just finished reading The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors

James Hornfischer

[squidly]

I used to be a tin can sailor. Great book. Like most books, it reinforces how the admirals were wrong. But that's easy to say 60 years after the fact. As Nelson DeMille said, anyone can be a military genius with the benefit of hindsight.

I continue to be amazed that the Yamato and Musashi were able to shoot 3,200 lb. shells a distance of 26 miles. In my day, we did that with missiles.

[SampleMan]

What fascinates me about Leyte Gulf, is how the Japanese would sacrifice two fleets in order to cover for a third, but would withdraw without winning anything noteworthy.

The Japanese position was already desperate, and just nine months later they lost the Yamato while trying to get her to the beaches of Okinawa, where she was to ground herself and fire until empty at the landing forces.

Those U.S. Navy destroyers did in fact save the fleet that day, even if they were just bees stinging an angry bear, they caused enough confusion and disorder among the Japanese to prevent catastrophe. Brave, brave men.

[snippy_about_it]

It's a couple years old but you might find our old thread on Leyte interesting. We tried to keep the Foxhole's short reads when we could.

Click Here

Also, thank you for your service sailor!

[squidly]

Thanks for the link. I am grateful that none of my skippers ever sailed me into anything like that.

[kiltie]

I read “Last Stand”, as well and It was a great read. I’m another Tin Can Sailor, Mate. Served aboard USS Bearss DD-654. What was your ship?

[SunkenCiv]

Note: this topic is from 2007.

Thanks all.

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